Talihina PWA WWT - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in LeFlore County, Oklahoma

Talihina PWA WWT is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in LeFlore County, Oklahoma, serving a population of 1,211. The plant is situated near the Talimena Scenic Drive in the Ouachita Mountains region, providing essential wastewater services to the local community. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. It has a designed capacity of 681.37 thousand gallons per day and currently discharges 454.25 thousand gallons per day, indicating operational capacity below design. As a US facility, it operates under an EPA NPDES permit issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, ensuring compliance with discharge limits. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Kiamichi River basin, ultimately flowing into the Red River and then the Gulf of Mexico. The plant plays a role in protecting water quality in the scenic Ouachita region, supporting downstream aquatic ecosystems and recreational uses.

The plant discharges into the Kiamichi River watershed, which flows through the Ouachita Mountains into the Red River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as an important corridor for migratory fish. Secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and protect downstream water quality.